William and Sara Tom
From the diary of Beatrice Bruce, 1935.
James Robert Hobman was the first child of Luke John Hobman and Anne Marie (nee Hall) Hobman. He was born in Greytown on 4 August 1863, and died in Wellington on 24 June 1943.
James Hobman married Elizabeth (Bessie) Jane Tom from Dalefield in 1891, at Greytown, by the Rev William Rowse. Bessie pictured here, photo taken later in her life.
William and Sara Tom and family arrive in New Zealand 1875
Elizabeth (Bessie) was born in Carnkie, near Redruth, Cornwall, England in 1873. With her parents William and Sara Vivian Tom, the family departed Cornwall on 22 June 1875 and arrived in Lyttleton on the ship "Waikato" 99 days later. They were billeted in barracks on arrival in New Zealand.
William harvested for six months, then the family moved to Silverstream, Wellington and William worked on the railways and at Robinson's Mill, before buying a farm at Dalefield, Wairarapa. There he worked at the local timber mill while breaking in the land and building the family home.
The Tom barn was always referred to as the Dalefield Town Hall, and it was there that the local functions were held; dances and Penny Readings etc.
Bessie was the first pupil enrolled at Dalefield Primary School as previously she had attended school at Carterton.
At the Dalefield Golden Jubilee in 1935, trees were planted by Elizabeth Hobman and Harold Hudden, the first school pupils.
Later in 1962, Donald Hector Bruce, Elizabeth and James' grandson was headmaster at the school. His three children, Neil, Devon and Sheridan Bruce were the fourth generation to attend the school.
When the Tom farm was sold, William and Sara retired to Carterton. Sara died in 1918 at Carterton and William in 1932 at Wellington.
William and Sara buried at Clareville Cemetery Carterton.
Clareville Cemetery is located on Chester Road on the outskirts of Carterton. It is administered by the Carterton District Council. The grave of Charles Rooking Carter, from whom Carterton derives its name, can be found at Clareville Cemetery. The first burial took place on 26 July 1866.
Photo of James and Bessie Hobman taken in the 1930s- 40s.
James and Bessie Hobman lived at 11 Tully Street, Kilbirnie until their deaths, James in 1941 and Bessie in 1954.